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SIUE Women's Soccer Pushes Forward
         With a clear balance of youth and experience, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's soccer Coach Lynda Bowers enters the 2004 season with some solid expectations.
         After finishing 10-7 last season in Bowers' first year as head coach, the Cougars only have had to make a handful of moves to shore up the offense and defense. With seven starters returning, it's all about from where the team's leadership will come.
         "We're hoping the chemistry is still there," said Bowers.
         Ann Crawford (St. Louis), a senior, returns at forward as a hard worker up front. "I expect her to be one of our strongest scorers," said Bowers.
         Kristine Armstrong (St. Peters, Mo.) worked her way into the lineup late last season and became the team's leading scorer by season's end with nine goals and two assists. She made just six starts in her freshman season and figures to increase her role this season.
         Katie Yearian (Waterloo) joins the front line for SIUE. In spite of her size at 5-foot-3-inches, Yearian figures to hold an important role as the team's fastest player. "Her quickness is going to surprise some people," Bowers said.
         For a change of pace, Bowers also can call on junior forward Liz Fleer (Washington, Mo.). "When we need a change of pace, she'll work hard for us," said Bowers.
         SIUE's strength may lie in its midfield with a number of experienced players. Jackie Thomann (St. Louis) and Christen Carducci (Powell, Ohio) join Crawford and back Angela Light (St. Louis) as the team's captains.
         Thomann is one of the team's best ball handlers. Carducci was a NCAA qualifier for the Cougars during the outdoor track and field season.
         Bowers holds a number of other options at midfield.
         Kelly Dill (Florissant, Mo.) enters her junior season as one of the most improved from last season. Bowers said her fitness and skill level have markedly improved. "She'll be fighting for a starting position," said Bowers.
         Juniors Allison Sweet (Springfield) and Sarah Landt (Carbondale) also look to become bigger scoring threats this season. Christina Stremlau (St. Louis) and Nikki Grashoff (O'Fallon, Mo.) returns for their sophomore seasons. In the backfield, Light provides a strong presence with the capability of turning set plays into scoring plays. Light has 11 goals and seven assists heading into her final season.
         The Cougars also will look to sophomore Kayla Fromme (New Berlin) as its top defender. As the team's co-Most Valuable Player last season, Bowers said most every opponent had something good to say about Fromme last season. Padra Bencini (Carbondale), who started all 17 games last season, proved to a ball winner as a freshman defender.
         Lindsay Kampwerth (Highland) enters SIUE as a junior transfer from MacMurray College. Bowers said she sees Kampwerth as a potential starter.
         Bowers also has Beth Horan (St. Louis), Whitney Hanson (St. Charles, Mo.) and freshman Sara Stroud (Collinsville). Bowers sees a great deal of potential in all three yet the trio will need some playing time to gain some much-needed experience.
         The Cougars boast two goalkeepers on the roster with senior Jessica Brown (St. Louis) and freshman Kim Roady (Granite City). "Being a senior is going to inspire Jessica, but Kim is going to push her for a starting role," said Bowers.
         SIUE opens up the regular season on August 27 at home against Minnesota State-Mankato. Game time is 4 p.m.
        
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